DA issues ASF-free swine import regulations

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed the implementation of new regulations to strengthen the country's defenses against the African Swine Fever (ASF), while also ensuring the safe importation of swine products.

Under Administrative Circular No. 12, the ASF regionalization was introduced, allowing the recognition of ASF-free zones within accredited exporting countries, which is in line with the standards of the World Organization for Animal Health.

“The government has been actively working to recover from ASF through a national zoning and movement plan, identifying areas already disease-free. This highlights the importance of science-based monitoring, regionalization for ASF freedom, and adherence to WOAH guidelines for safe swine trade,” Tiu Laurel said in a press release issued Tuesday.

The DA chief said that only Department of Agriculture-accredited countries could apply for ASF regionalization recognition.

He said the exporting countries’ Competent Veterinary Authority must provide detailed reports on ASF surveillance, control measures, as well as boundaries of ASF-free regions.

The Bureau of Animal Industry, through its Risk Import Assessment Team, will conduct a six-month technical review to verify compliance with DA as well as with the international standards.

Once the evaluation is finished, the BAI will notify the exporting country of the results. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News